Stone Guitar Picks – Ever Tried Playing Guitar With Gemstone Picks?

Updated on February 14, 2011

Although plastic guitar picks are the most common variety,
plectrums are actually available in a huge range of different materials,
including gemstones. In this article we’ll take a look at why so many
guitarists like using stone guitar picks, and perhaps you might want to try
them too.

Stone picks can be made from a wide range of gemstones,
although the various varieties of agate are probably the most common. Agate is
easily recognisable due to its banded appearance, and comes in a variety of colours.
However, any stone can be - and often is - used to create plectrums, including
jasper, bloodstone, amber, tiger’s eye and quartz.

Amber Guitar Pick

Source

Advantages of Stone Picks

So, why use a stone guitar pick? The answer is that these
picks give a fantastically resonant guitar tone. Plastic guitar picks, which
are the ‘norm’, tend to have a deadening effect on the string. So when you use
a plastic pick to strike the guitar string, it doesn’t resonate as fully as it
might do if you use one made from other materials. Basically, the denser the
material from which the pick is made, the more resonant the tone will be.

Another reason why people like gem guitar picks is their
aesthetic appeal. Every pick is unique, and like other gemstone items, they can
be very beautiful. Stone picks are also extremely durable, and will not wear down
easily like plastic picks do. However, they should be treated with care, as
they may smash if dropped on a hard surface. Stone plectrums can also retain their
value, and make excellent gifts, either to give to guitar-loving friends, or to
pass down through the generations.

Downsides of Gem Picks

A downside to gemstone plectrums is that they’re very smooth
and polished, which can make keeping a firm grip difficult. However, you can
get stone picks that have been designed with a slightly rougher surface on the
area where your thumb and finger, so you can keep hold of them much more
easily.

Stone picks are also by their very nature unbendable, which
makes them unsuitable for guitarists who prefer to use a very thin and flexible
pick. And although very thin crystal guitar picks are available, most of them
tend to be on the thicker side, so they won't be the best choice for everybody.

By using a stone pick, you’re basically allowing your guitar’s
true tone to ring out unimpeded. Even if you already have your favourite
plastic picks, it's well worth giving stone guitar picks a try, as they can add
an interesting new dimension to your guitar playing, even if you don't use them
all the time.

Where To Buy Stone Guitar Picks

Stone picks aren’t as easily available as the more common
materials, but as with most things, if your local music stores don’t have any,
there’s always the internet!

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Comments 1 comment

One would truly feel inclined to play the guitar when she/he is comfortable with the guitar picks being used. Others prefer not to use picks when they play but most are encouraged to do so in order to further enhance the sound being created.